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Ranking every NBA Champion from No. 72 to No. 1 — The Definitive List

By Staff

TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 30: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the Golden State Warriors and Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors defend their positions during Game One of the NBA Finals on May 30, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 30: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the Golden State Warriors and Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors defend their positions during Game One of the NBA Finals on May 30, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Original Caption) Inglewood, Calif.: Two of basketball’s giants stare at each other as Milwaukee Buck Lew Alcindor tries to decide if he should go over Los Angeles Laker Wilt Chamberlain or pass the ball off during early action of the third game of the second round of the NBA Playoffs. Alcindor tried to go over the Laker big man and missed the shot.
(Original Caption) Inglewood, Calif.: Two of basketball’s giants stare at each other as Milwaukee Buck Lew Alcindor tries to decide if he should go over Los Angeles Laker Wilt Chamberlain or pass the ball off during early action of the third game of the second round of the NBA Playoffs. Alcindor tried to go over the Laker big man and missed the shot. /

32. 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks

One of the great subplots of center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s career is that he only won championships when put next to a great point guard. In Los Angeles, that was Magic Johnson. In Milwaukee, it was Oscar Robertson, the man who made the triple-double a thing in the 1960s. After the Bucks came up short of the NBA Finals in Abdul-Jabbar’s rookie season, Milwaukee traded for Robertson.

While Robertson was a diminished form of the 30-point scorer he had been in his first seven seasons, he was still a dynamic presence. Along with Jon McGlockin, Greg Smith and Bobby Dandridge, the Bucks had a great back court to go with Abdul-Jabbar at the height of his physical powers (31.7 points, 16 rebounds per game).

31. 2015-16 Cleveland Cavaliers

Give the Cavaliers credit for one of the greatest upsets in NBA and sports history as they beat the regular season record-setting 73-9 Golden State Warriors. LeBron James was a monster in the postseason, including an amazing, out-of-nowhere block against Andre Iguodala to stop a layup.

Still, this Cavaliers team took advantage of some unusual circumstances. For instance, Iguodala had back problems in the series that robbed him of his defensive ability and stopped him from dunking that layup. Warriors forward Draymond Green was suspended for Game 5, which Cleveland won. Still, this was a magnificent series for LeBron and guard Kyrie Irving, who was at times unstoppable with his combination of drives to the hoop and outside shooting.

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